Labour backs Archbishop’s concerns says Rowan Williams “right” to speak out about of Government reforms

Ed Miliband, the Leader of the Labour Party, has publicly welcomed concerns voiced by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, about a number of policies being pursued by the Tory-led Government. Ed said that the Archbishop‟s intervention had “raised serious and formidable questions about the morality of the Government‟s reforms.”

The Archbishop‟s comments came in an article he wrote for the New Statesman in June, and provoked a widespread political debate. Dr Williams expressed his fears that the Conservatives‟ “Big Society” agenda could become a political cover for government cuts. © Tim Ashley He wrote, “The widespread suspicion that this has assurances that poorer families would not suffer been done for opportunistic or money-saving reasons disproportionately. allows many to dismiss what there is of a programme for „big society‟ initiatives; even the term has fast Labour‟s leader, Ed Miliband, rejected the argument become painfully stale.” that church leaders should stay out of politics. “Britain‟s churches are at the forefront of many Dr Williams also identified the “bafflement and communities, and they will be among the first to see indignation” felt by many towards flagship government the consequences of government policies. Where policies, such as its education reforms and its they believe the Government has failed to stand up for reorganisation of the National Health Service. the most vulnerable, it is quite right for them to speak However, he didn't out. The Government would be foolish to dismiss what “Britain’s churches are confine his criticisms they have said.” Ed also welcomed many of Dr at the forefront of many to the Coalition and Williams‟ specific criticisms of the Coalition: “The communities, and they challenged those Archbishop is right to question the morality and will be among the first to opposed to the legitimacy of some of the Government‟s reforms, such reforms to provide “a as its badly managed top-down reorganisation of the see the consequences full and robust account NHS.” of Government policies” of what the left would Ed Miliband do differently.” The Ed‟s comments were reinforced by , Archbishop‟s Labour‟s Education Secretary who said: "Dr comments came as MP completed a Williams has captured the anxiety that voters are preliminary report for the party's policy review feeling, namely that this Tory-led Government are consultation—a process which received over 2,000 following through with ill-thought out reforms of our submissions from members of the public. public services.” Meanwhile, Andy Flannagan, the Director of the Christian Socialist Movement, said: "Dr Dr Williams is not the only church leader to publicly Williams spoke from the perspective of the church, question the policies being pursued by the Tory-led which is embedded in communities across the land Government. In a letter to the Work and Pensions and active in helping build and support those Secretary, , similar concerns were communities. When the leader of such a well-placed voiced by the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, organisation expresses concern about the risks to the Vincent Nichols. Nichols expressed anxiety over the poor from government policies, the Government needs Government‟s welfare policies and urged it to provide to listen.” 1 An important moral voice on politics A message from MP, Labour’s Faith Envoy

In the opening lines of his article for the New governments whilst they were in Statesman, Rowan Williams commented that he Lambeth Palace. Some say that hoped to “spar[k] a livelier debate”. If the following the modern welfare state— day‟s newspapers are anything to go by, he certainly perhaps Labour‟s greatest ever succeeded! achievement—owes much to the efforts of wartime Archbishop William Temple. Some of the criticisms made against the Archbishop were very unfair. A number of Conservative MPs were Successive governments have benefitted from the extremely unhappy that he criticised the Government interventions of the Church, supportive or otherwise, at all. One Tory backbencher was even quoted as for many years. Robert Runcie‟s report, „Faith in the saying that the Archbishop should stop “shouting” at City‟ challenged the traditional thinking surrounding the Government like a noisy protester in Parliament problems facing urban areas such as poverty, Square. The truth is—as many of us have known for unemployment and crime. Likewise, the churches‟ many years—the Church of England is very far from report „Unemployment and the Future of Work‟ its popular caricature as “the Conservative Party at provided a broad based call for action to which the prayer”. Government responded.

In fact, political interventions by Archbishops are Rowan Williams‟ interventions—and those of the nothing new. Rowan Williams himself criticised the Archbishop of Westminster—have raised significant previous Labour Government, of which I was a concerns about Government policy. But as leaders member. He was outspoken about the and and people who are appointed to speak up for those the Equality Bill. His predecessors, George Carey and who cannot speak themselves, they are doing the Robert Runcie, were not afraid to speak out against right thing by speaking out. News in brief

Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act Government urged to do more to help charities Parliament has passed an order to make The Debt Figures obtained through Freedom of Information Relief (Developing Countries) Act permanent. The Act, releases have revealed that over 2,000 charities was originally passed in April 2010 despite opposition across the country are having their funding slashed or from some Conservatives. The law brings to an end completely withdrawn by local authorities. Harriet the practice of 'Vulture Funds' where investment Harman, Labour‟s Deputy Leader, has demanded that companies buy up the defaulted debts of the world‟s the Government complete a full review of the impact poorest countries. The Labour MP who brought the cuts are having on the third sector. Speaking to forward the legislation, Andrew Gwynne, said: “Vulture Churches Update, Harriet said: “This survey shows the Funds are completely unjust and it is to the credit of impact on charities up and down the country of cuts this Parliament that we have finally managed to make which go too far and too fast. We‟re challenging the this law permanent.” Government to do a review now before it‟s too late.”

Vernon Coaker praises church response to riots Ed Miliband praises CSM at 50th Birthday Labour‟s Shadow Policing Secretary, Ed Miliband has congratulated the Christian Socialist MP, has welcomed the contribution made by church Movement for playing a vital role in the Labour Party‟s communities in the aftermath of the riots in England. history. His comments came as he attended the Many churches provided practical support to their Movement‟s 50th anniversary in . In Ed‟s communities by helping to clear the streets, or visiting address to an audience of CSM supporters, he the families of those directly affected. Prayer vigils said: “The CSM was at the forefront of new methods of were also held across the country, and on the political engagement.” Ed suggested that Labour‟s hash tag #prayforLondon trended worldwide. commitment to ethical policies is likely to give CSM an Speaking to Churches Update, Vernon said: even greater role in Labour‟s future. The evening also “Churches are often rooted in the areas which they included contributions from CSM Director, Andy serve so it was no surprise to see many of them being Flannagan and Ann Pettifor, Executive director of so quick to react. I hope they can continue to help in Advocacy International. To read a full report of the the coming months as our communities are rebuilt.” evening, please visit: www.thecsm.org.uk. 2 Labour rallies against cuts to legal aid

The Tory-led Government has announced changes to how civil legal aid is to be given out in England and A message from Ben Wales. The reforms form part of the Legal Aid, Bradshaw MP Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, which “The Government‟s own impact was presented to Parliament earlier this year. assessment has demonstrated that

those who rely most heavily on It is estimated that the cuts to Legal Aid, which total Legal Aid are the very poorest and £350m, will mean that nearly half a million legal and most disadvantaged within our welfare advice cases per year will no longer qualify for society, yet they have still pushed assistance. Cases affected will include those relating forward with these cuts. Those who depend on to welfare, employment, family breakdown and debt. Legal Aid do so for issues such as housing, debt The plans come against the background of substantial and benefits disputes. cuts to local authority budgets.

“Major advice services have warned that the Charities, judges and politicians have warned that the Government‟s plans could create „advice deserts‟ reforms will have serious implications for justice and in the poorest parts of the country. Justice should damage the public‟s access to it as many people find it be for all, not simply those who can afford it.” difficult to obtain legal advice. There are also worries that the voluntary sector and pro bono work does not have sufficient capacity to fill the gap left by the cuts. leave hundreds of thousands with nowhere to turn for help. Serious cases of family breakdown, unfair Gillian Guy, of Citizen's Advice, said: "These cuts will dismissal and refusal of benefits will simply get worse.”

Conference 2011 diary

Sunday 25 September Tuesday 27 September ► The Conference Sunday Church Service ► “Persecuted Prayer” A Tearfund and World Vision, 11:30am Prayer breakfast for the Liverpool Parish Church, L2 8TZ persecuted Church CSM, Free Church Leaders, Release International ► CSM’s Conference Reception Housing 8:00am CSM, 12:30pm Gavin Shuker MP, Andy Dipper (CEO, Release Liverpool Parish Church, L2 8TZ International), Xiqiu (Bob) Fu (President, China Aid Association) ► “Those who show up!” Friends‟ Meeting House, 22 School Lane, L1 3BT CSM, 6:30pm Inspiration and training for Christians exploring political ► Will religious freedom survive the Arab engagement Spring? Andy Flannagan, Susan Elan Jones MP Christian Solidarity Worldwide, 1:00pm St James in the City Church, L8 1UR MP, Stephen Timms MP, Bishop Angaelos (Coptic Orthodox Church Leader), Nazila Monday 26 September Ghanea (Professor of Human Rights, University of ► Reaping what we sow? The impact of the UK Oxford) arms trade Friends‟ Meeting House, 22 School Lane, L1 3BT CSM and Campaign Against Arms Trade 1:00pm MP, Symon Hill (Ekklesia), Alan Wednesday 28 September Storkey (Theologian and Economist) ► Credo and Credit—Relational economics for Friends‟ Meeting House, 22 School Lane, L1 3BT the street and the City Co-operative Party, 7:30pm ► Annual Faith Reception—Launch of the Labour MP, Ann Pettifor (Advocacy Faith Network International), Stephen Beer (CSM), Michael 6.00pm Stephenson (General Secretary, Co-operative Party) Hall 3B, ACC Convention Centre Friends‟ Meeting House, 22 School Lane, L1 3BT 3 Tackling overseas bribery and corruption

In April 2010, Labour’s landmark Bribery Act was So far, so good? Well, passed with cross-party support. Here, writing for no. On announcing that Churches Update, Labour’s Shadow Solicitor this Labour legislation General, Catherine McKinnell MP, talks about her would finally be work in pushing implementation of the Act through implemented, the Parliament. Government produced guidance for business on The Bribery Act enables the UK to finally comply with the Act. This led to the OECD‟s Anti-Bribery Convention and tackle the concerns from devastating effects of bribery and corruption on development NGOs that developing economies and their citizens. For the first it had been watered time, a corporate offence has been created that could down, with potential result in unlimited fines for UK companies found guilty loopholes created for of failing to prevent bribery by their employees or subsidiaries, joint others acting on their behalf. ventures and companies that are registered with the London Stock Exchange but not based in the UK. I have taken a strong interest in the implementation of Time will tell whether this guidance will actually hinder this Act since being elected to Parliament in last May. I the effective implementation of the Act or whether it am passionate about the UK maintaining its leading was merely part of an attempt to quell the fears of role in supporting developing countries, and, as members of the business community. Shadow Solicitor General I was responsible for highlighting concerns about enforcement of the Act. At Much more promising has been the determination of one stage the Government was looking to split the the SFO‟s Director, Richard Alderman, to ensure that functions of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), making the Act is fully and „aggressively‟ implemented. effective implementation highly unlikely. And worse, However, the SFO has just come through a period of over the past year it also looked as if the Government great uncertainty about its future under the Coalition might abandon the legislation as a result of strong which saw several key and highly-experienced staff lobbying by the business community. leave in recent months. What's more, like every other part of the public sector, the SFO is facing swingeing The Act was originally intended to come into force budget cuts over the next four years which will place in October 2010. This date was twice postponed and ever greater pressure on ever limited resources. the Government's reticence became clearer by the day. However, significant pressure from Opposition The campaign does not stop here. I will keep pressing MPs and NGOs including Global Witness, Tearfund, Ministers to ensure that the SFO has the capacity and CAFOD and Christian Aid, ensured that the Justice funding it requires to properly and vigorously Secretary could not shirk the UK's responsibilities - he implement this crucial Labour legislation, which has finally confirmed that the Act would come into force on the potential to tackle the root causes of poverty 1st July 2011. overseas.

We want to hear from you More than ever before, the Labour Party is committed to listening to and learning from those of religious faith—including those in our churches. We realise that many of you cannot commit to supporting any particular political party. Even so, we are interested to hear what you have to say, and to help you to continue your valuable work across the country. There are a few things you can do to help us in this work. 1. Tell your friends about this newsletter. We want to be in dialogue with as many people of faith as possible. Encourage others to join our mailing list at www.labour.org.uk/faith. 2. Ask to display this newsletter in your church. Ask your church leaders if they are willing for this newsletter to be displayed so that others in your church can read about what Labour is doing. 3. Tell us how we can help you. Write to Stephen Timms MP (Vice Chair for Faith Groups), c/o The Labour Party, 39 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0HA. Alternatively, email [email protected]. To join the Labour Party visit www.labour.org.uk/join or telephone us on 08705 900 200.

Reproduced from electronic media provided by the Labour Party. Promoted by Iain McNicol, General Secretary of the Labour Party on behalf of the Labour Party, both at 39 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0HA. 4